I'm on FCP 7. I followed the steps in the sticky and got to the part about saving the footage as huffyuv AVI in VirtualDub. I now have a 15GB file for one episode. I want to know, before I take this into Mpeg StreamClip to save in a .mov container, is there another format I can convert it to that will give me a smaller file size? For instance, I tried converting it into ProRes 422 in Mpegstream clip, which yielded a smaller file size to work with in FCP. However, when I export it, save it in an AVI container again through Mpeg StreamClip, and then open it in Vdub via crossover, Vdub can't open it.

I want to work with smaller file sizes (not enough hard drive space) and be able to export it in a format that is playable in Windows (I'll be bringing it back into my PC to use TMPGEnc to convert it into MPEG2 for convention submission, which I've always used). I used to be on Premiere, but FCP is now my main editing platform and I want to stick with it and try this out.

I am afraid the answer to your question is no. HUFFYUV is the only codec that is shared among all of our normal AMV applications on the PC side (such as those found in AMVapp) and those that I have written about on the Mac side.

Your best option really is obtaining more harddrive space. Which given today's high resolution content, you should probably have it already.

K. Thanks for the reply. In that case, for those who only have a MAC, what are their final export options from Final Cut Pro before submitting to convention contests? What do they use to convert the video to MPEG2? (unfortunately, Compressor on MAC does not export the MPEG2's with audio attached)

I'm the primary Mac editor here, and I don't use FCP very often. I prefer Premiere. Every time an FCP question comes up, I have to actually play around with it to get an answer. tl;dr, I don't know. I'll get back to you.

Just export the Audio and video separately from Compressor. Then rename the files so that they are identical (except for the extension of course). Then open the video file in Mpeg Streamclip (it will load the audio for you) and then just mux the video and audio.

JudgeHolden wrote:Just export the Audio and video separately from Compressor. Then rename the files so that they are identical (except for the extension of course). Then open the video file in Mpeg Streamclip (it will load the audio for you) and then just mux the video and audio.

JudgeHolden wrote:Just export the Audio and video separately from Compressor. Then rename the files so that they are identical (except for the extension of course). Then open the video file in Mpeg Streamclip (it will load the audio for you) and then just mux the video and audio.

MPEGStreamclip does MPEG2?

Yep, just export as an .mv2 and aiff 16/48 (though I think you need to change the extention to .aif) from compressor, then mux in mpegstreamclip, then submit to con, then profit. I have done it many of times.

It is found under the drop down menu "File". Near the bottom you will see "convert to mpeg2 with audio".

I know it's hard to belive that I know anything. Honestly, I can't remember how I found this out .... I've been doing it for atleast 5 years.

Thanks for the response you guys! I used mpegstream clip to bring my .m2v and .aif file together, and used the convert mpeg2 with audio option. However, after it exported my mpeg2, I noticed that it automatically changed some settings to my video (i.e. changing it to 640x480, when it should remain 720x480 for con). I don't see an option that will allow me to keep it at the original settings. Also, does it actually bring down the quality and recompress it too much?

Forgot to add one more thing to my last response/question: When I export from Compressor, I use the setting "DVD: Best quality 90 minutes> MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-Pass" for Video, and "Aiff 44.1:16" for audio to get my .m2v and .aif. (I've been setting my audio at 44.1 in most cases because it doesn't create a hollow sound at the con). Are those the video settings you use JudgeHolden?

PianoSymphony wrote:Forgot to add one more thing to my last response/question: When I export from Compressor, I use the setting "DVD: Best quality 90 minutes> MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-Pass" for Video, and "Aiff 44.1:16" for audio to get my .m2v and .aif. (I've been setting my audio at 44.1 in most cases because it doesn't create a hollow sound at the con). Are those the video settings you use JudgeHolden?

Thanks!

Those sound fine, but 48/16 is the DVD standard. As for changing it to 640:480, i'm not sure (have never had that issue). Is your footage 4:3? Honestly, I just send them what converts out of Mpegstream and have never been DQed for it, so you ought to be fine.

You can shave off quite a bit of space compared to HuffYUV by using FFV1 with the arithmetic coder and a large keyframe interval: it's supported by Perian and should operate just as well as HuffYUV with the AMVApp stuff.